The three-day lockout sparked a wave of strikes at Solid Energy mines across New Zealand, with Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union members at the Huntly East, Spring Creek, Terrace and New Vale mines all taking action in support of the Rotowaro miners.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the lockout was broken thanks to huge support from miners across the country.

“Our members at Rotowaro … managed to end the lockout and win the decent pay rise and improved conditions they were after,” Little said.

“With the exception of the Stockton mine, this settlement should resolve all outstanding industrial issues in the mining industry subject to ratification by members over the next week.”

HWE Mining is owned by Australian mining giant Leighton Contractors.